Molecular markers help predict oral cancer progression

A group of molecular markers has been identified that can help clinicians determine which patients with low-grade oral premalignant lesions are at high risk for progression to oral cancer, according to data from the Oral Cancer Prediction Longitudinal Study published in Cancer Prevention Research (August 21, 2012). “The results of our study should help to build awareness that not everyone with a low-grade oral premalignant lesion will progress to cancer,”

3Shape adds implant scanning to Trios

Dentists can now use 3Shape’s Trios digital impression system for implant abutment cases. With Trios, dentists can now capture soft-tissue emergence profiles single implant positions using autoclavable scan bodies supporting a wide range of implant systems. Labs can receive the digital impression minutes after scanning and immediately start designing the digital implant model, the customized abutment, and the crown. 3Shape’s Model Builder CAD/CAM software allows labs to design digital models

Oral health issues gain political momentum in U.S.

Public health experts who gathered in Washington, DC, on August 17 for a forum on the U.S. oral healthcare crisis clearly agreed on one thing: There is no single solution that will fix the system, which currently leaves tens of millions of Americans without dental care. A good start might be to begin looking at the oral healthcare delivery as part of the larger healthcare system because many of the

Pa. hospital gets $1.7M xerostomia research grant

Allegheny General Hospital (AGH) has been awarded a $1.7 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to study gene therapy using ultrasound for the treatment of xerostomia. Called ultrasound-assisted gene transfer, the technique will be explored by the AGH team in an animal model study to determine its efficacy in the treatment of xerostomia, a high-incidence complication of radiation therapy for head and neck cancer in which the

Calif. start-up developing ‘better’ titanium implant

A California start-up company is working to leave its mark on dental implant technology with a new type of titanium implant that could expand the market by making it usable in patients with medical conditions that undermine their ability to support dental implants. Nasseo, founded in April by two University of California, San Diego (UCSD) graduates to develop novel surface-modification technologies to address dental and orthopedic implant failures, recently won

Photodynamic therapy helps kill S. mutans

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) can “significantly kill” Streptococcus mutans in oral biofilms, according to a new study in Lasers in Surgery and Medicine (July 27, 2012). PDT has been shown to have a significant antimicrobial effect and presents as an alternative to treating biofilm-related disease, according to the study authors, from the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine. For this study, they wanted to determine the ability of a porfimer

Biomimetic capsules may help treat perio disease

A potential new treatment for periodontal disease that involves controlled-release capsules is being unveiled this week at the American Chemical Society (ACS) National Meeting and Exposition in Philadelphia. The technology uses controlled-release capsules filled with a protein that would be injected into the periodontal pockets, according to the ACS. The capsules dissolve over time, releasing a protein that guides immune cells to the diseased area, reducing inflammation, creating an environment

UOP Virtual Dental Home project gets $1.2M grant

The Pacific Center for Special Care at the University of the Pacific (UOP) Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry has received $1.2 million in grant funding from the Los Angeles First 5 and San Mateo First 5 commissions to expand the Virtual Dental Home demonstration project. The grant funding will bring oral healthcare via the Virtual Dental Home demonstration project to children in state Head Start centers and health clinics

Mydent introduces Defend dental needles

Mydent International has added dental needles to its line of Defend procedural products. Defend dental needles are triple-beveled and feature an arrow indicator to help orient the bevel position during injections. Constructed of a stainless steel, polypropylene hub with aluminum insert, the needles are siliconized to help ensure a gentle insertion into tissue, according to the company. In addition, the prethreaded plastic hub facilitates a straight attachment to the syringe,

Texas orthodontist charged with $1.5M Medicaid fraud

Michael David Goodwin, DDS, an orthodontist who practices in Amarillo, TX, and Crown Point, IN, has been indicted on 11 counts of healthcare fraud for allegedly defrauding the Texas Medicaid program of approximately $1.5 million. According to the federal indictment, 90% to 95% of Dr. Goodwin’s orthodontic patients were Medicaid beneficiaries. The indictment alleges that from January 2008 through March 2011, Dr. Goodwin devised a scheme to defraud the Texas Medicaid

How effective is splint therapy in treating TMD?

A new systematic review and meta-analysis that evaluated scientific literature for the effectiveness of using splint therapy to treat patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) has found promising results for the treatment but highlights the need for larger trials (Journal of the American Dental Association, August 2012, Vol. 143:8, pp. 847-857). Several strategies are used for the management of TMDs including exercise, pharmacological interventions, acupuncture, intra-articular injections with anesthetics or corticosteroids,

Study outlines challenges of cleft palate over time

Children with cleft lip and/or palate encounter different challenges throughout the course of their development. Both environmental and biological factors play a role and can affect speech, academic performance, and behavior. Research has shown varying influences, including the type of cleft, gender, and age, affecting outcomes. The July 2012 issue of Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal reviews findings about individuals with cleft in three age groups: infancy/early development, school age, and adolescence/young